Determining meat quality of a live animal

Abstract

A method of providing an indication of pH levels in an animal can alternatively be used to provide an indication of stress in an animal. Since pH and temperature are related to ultimate meat quality, the method of the invention may also be used to provide an indication of ultimate meat quality. In the method, periodic measurements are obtained corresponding to the body temperature of the animal. An algorithm is applied to the measurements obtained. The algorithm cumulatively takes account of variations of body temperature over time. The results of the algorithm are compared to a per-determined threshold. Alternatively, the results of the algorithm may be compared with a standard to provide a quantitative indication of pH, stress or meat tenderness. A system for providing an indication of meat quality/stress levels or pH levels in an animal is also provided.

1. A method of providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal, the method comprising:
 obtaining measurements corresponding to a body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals over a predetermined time period;  
 determining an indicator or measure of the sum total extent of all of the variation in said measurements over said time period; and  
 comparing said indicator or measure of the sum total extent of all of the variation to a predetermined threshold to determine the indication.  
 
   
   
     2. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein ten or more measurements corresponding to body temperature are taken. 
   
   
     3. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the predetermined time period is at least 12 hours. 
   
   
     4. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the predetermined time period extends up to 24 hours. 
   
   
     5. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the indication or measure of the extent of variation algorithm is applied at a end of the predetermined time period. 
   
   
     6. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the indication or measure of the extend of variation is applied progressively. 
   
   
     7. The method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said comparing is conducted after each application of the algorithm. 
   
   
     8. The method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the indication or measure of the extent of variation is applied progressively as each measurement corresponding to body temperature is taken. 
   
   
     9. The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising, in the event of the threshold being exceeded, providing an indication of the threshold being exceeded. 
   
   
     10. The method as claimed in  claim 9  further including setting the animal aside for a predetermined animal withholding period in the event of the threshold being exceeded. 
   
   
     11. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the determining said indication or measure of the extent of variation comprises:
 where: 
 t ear  is the instantaneous ear temperature;  
 t ambient  is the instantaneous ambient air temperature;  
 d is the difference between ear and ambient temperatures;  
 fast is the fast-response filter element;  
 slow is the slow response filter element;  
 v is the integral of the difference between the two filter elements;  
 c 1  is the time constant of the fast filter;  
 c 2  is the time constant of the slow filter;  
 Time constants are such that C 1 >c 2 , 0<c 1 <1,0<c 2<1;    
 
 where initially: 
 n=1  
 d 0 =t ear −t ambient    
 fast 0 =d 0    
 slow 0 =d 0    
 v 0 =0  
 
  and where at each sampling interval: 
 d n =t ear −t ambient    
 fast n =(1−c 1 )*fast n−1 +c 1 *d n    
 slow n =(1−c 2 )*slow n−1 +c 2 *d n    
 
  then: v n =V n−1 +(fast n −slow n ).  
 
   
   
     12. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the measurements are taken on the outer part of the animal's body. 
   
   
     13. The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein skin temperature measurements are taken and compensation is provided for at least ambient temperature or solar radiation. 
   
   
     14. The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein measurements are taken in the ear canal of the animal. 
   
   
     15. A method of providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal, the method comprising:
 a) obtaining measurements corresponding to a body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals;  
 b) applying an algorithm to the measurements obtained from a), which algorithm cumulatively takes account of variations in body temperature over time; and  
 c) correlating the results of the algorithm with at least one of a meat tenderness, a pH, and a stress standard.  
 
   
   
     16. The method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein a mean is calculated progressively as each measurement corresponding to temperature is taken. 
   
   
     17. A system for providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal to be slaughtered, the system comprising:
 a body mountable measurement device for obtaining measurements corresponding to the body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals over a period of between 3-36 hours; and  
 a processor or controller configured to: 
 receive said measurements from said measurement device;  
 determine an indicator or measure of the sum total extent of all of the variation in said measurements over said period;  
 compare said indicator or measure of the sum total extent of all of the variation to a predetermined threshold to obtain a result; and  
 providing said result of said comparison as output.  
 
 
   
   
     18. The system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said processor further configured to:
 determine the animal's mean body temperature from the measurements;  
 calculate the variance between each measurement and the mean; and  
 add all variances to obtain a cumulative variance score.  
 
   
   
     19. The system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the algorithm comprises the following the indication or measure of the extent of variation is determined:
 where: 
 t ear  is the instantaneous ear temperature;  
 t ambient  is the instantaneous ambient air temperature;  
 d is the difference between ear and ambient temperatures;  
 fast is the fast-response filter element;  
 slow is the slow response filter element;  
 v is the integral of the difference between the two filter elements;  
 c 1  is the time constant of the fast filter;  
 c 2  is the time constant of the slow filter;  
 Time constants are such that C 1 >c 2 , 0<c 1 <1,0<c 2 <1;  
 
 where initially: 
 n=1  
 d 0 =t ear −t ambient    
   fast0 =d 0    
   slow0 =d 0    
 V 0 =0  
 
 and where at each sampling interval: 
 d n =t ear −t ambient    
 fast n =(1−c 1 )*fast n−1 +c 1 *d n    
 slow n =(1−c 2 )*slow n−1 +c 2 *d n    
 
 then: v n =v n−1 +(fast n −slow n ).  
 
   
   
     20. The system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the system: is embodied in an all-in-one indicator device. 
   
   
     21. The system as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the device is provided in the form of an ear tag. 
   
   
     22. The system as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the tag incorporates the measurement device. 
   
   
     23. The system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the processor is provided by way of a remote computer. 
   
   
     24. The system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the processor is adapted to output a numeric value from a comparison with a meat tenderness scale. 
   
   
     25. The system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the processor is operable to compare the output of the algorithm to a predetermined threshold. 
   
   
     26. The system as claimed in  claim 25  further including an indicator to indicate where the output of the algorithm has exceeded the predetermined threshold. 
   
   
     27. The system as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the indicator is also operable to provide an indication that the system is functioning. 
   
   
     28. A temperature sensing device comprising:
 a tag having an attachment portion to extend through a body part of an animal;  
 one or more animal temperature sensors disposed on/in the attachment portion for contact with the animal during use and providing an output indicative of temperature; and  
 an indicator mounted on the tag or incorporated therewith and communicating with the one or more animal temperature sensors, said indicator being configured to provide a local indication depending on said output from said one or more animal temperature sensors.  
 
   
   
     29. The tag as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the tag is an ear tag. 
   
   
     30. The tag as claimed in  claim 28  wherein an ambient temperature sensor is also provided on the tag. 
   
   
     31. The tag as claimed in  claim 28  wherein comparison means is provided for comparing the ambient temperature with the animal temperature. 
   
   
     32. The tag as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the indicator is disposed on the tag, the indicator being responsive to the comparison means. 
   
   
     33. The tag as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the tag comprises a one piece molded body. 
   
   
     34. A method of providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal, the method comprising:
 obtaining measurements corresponding to the body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals;  
 determining that animal’ mean body temperature reading over the predetermined time period; calculating the variance between each measurement and the mean determined; and  
 adding all variances to obtain a cumulative temperature variance score,  
 comparing said score to a predetermined threshold.  
 
   
   
     35. The method as claimed in  claim 34  wherein the variance is calculated progressively. 
   
   
     36. The method as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the variance is calculated progressively as each measurement corresponding to body temperature is taken. 
   
   
     37. The method as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the comparison is conducted after each application of the algorithm. 
   
   
     38. A method of providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal, the method comprising:
 obtaining measurements corresponding to the body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals;  
 calculating progressively a mean as each measurement corresponding to temperature is taken;  
 applying an algorithm to the measurements which cumulatively takes account of variations in body temperature over time; and  
 comparing the results of said algorithm to a predetermined threshold.  
 
   
   
     39. A method of providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal, the method comprising:
 obtaining measurements corresponding to the body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals;  
 applying an algorithm where:  
 t ear  is the instantaneous ear temperature;  
 t ambient  is the instantaneous ambient air temperature;  
 d is the difference between ear and ambient temperatures;  
 fast is the fast-response filter element;  
 slow is the slow response filter element;  
 v is the integral of the difference between the two filter elements;  
 C 1  is the time constant of the fast filter; ° 
 c 2  is the time constant of the slow filter;  
 Time constants are such that c 1 >C 2 , 0<c 1 <1,0<C 2<1;    
  where initially:  
 n=1  
 d 0 =t ear −t ambient    
 fast 0 =d 0    
 slow 0 =d 0    
 V 0 =0  
  and where at each sampling interval:  
 d n =t ear −t ambient    
 fast n =(1−c 1 )*fast n−1 +c 1 *d n    
 slow n =(1−c 2 )*slow n−1 +c 2 *d n    
  then: V n =V n−1 +(fast n −slow n ); and  
  comparing vn to a predetermined threshold.  
 
   
   
     40. A system for providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal to be slaughtered, the system comprising:
 a body mountable measurement device for obtaining measurements corresponding to the body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals over a period of between 336 hours; and  
 a processor having an input means for receiving the measurements from the measurement device, the processor operable to:  
 determine the animal's mean body temperature from the measurements;  
 calculate the variance between each measurement and the mean; and  
 add all variances to obtain a cumulative variance score;  
 wherein the processor has an output means for providing the cumulative variance score.  
 
   
   
     41. A system for providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal to be slaughtered, the system comprising:
 a body mountable measurement device for obtaining measurements corresponding to the body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals over a period of between 336 hours; and  
 a processor having an input means for receiving the measurements from the measurement device, the processor operable to implement an algorithm where:  
 t ear  is the instantaneous ear temperature;  
 t ambient  is the instantaneous ambient air temperature;  
 d is the difference between ear and ambient temperatures;  
 fast is the fast-response filter element;  
 slow is the slow response filter element;  
 v is the integral of the difference between the two filter elements;  
 c 1  is the time constant of the fast filter;  
 c 2  is the time constant of the slow filter;  
 Time constants are such that c 1 >c 2 , 0<c 1 <1,0<c 2 <1;  
  where initially:  
 n=1  
 d 0 =t ear −t ambient    
 fast 0 =d 0    
 slow 0 =d 0    
 v 0 =0  
  and where at each sampling interval:  
 d n =t ear −t ambient    
 fast n =(1−c 1 )*fast n−1 +c 1 *d n    
 slow n =(1−c 2 *slow n−1 +c 2 *d n    
  then: V n =V n−1 +fast n −slow n )  
  wherein the processor has an output means for providing the result v n .  
 
   
   
     42. A system for providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal to be slaughtered, the system comprising:
 a body mountable measurement device for obtaining measurements corresponding to the body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals over a period of between 336 hours; and  
 a processor having an input means for receiving the measurements from the measurement device, the processor operable to implement an algorithm to the measurements, which algorithm cumulatively takes account of variations in body temperature over a time window, wherein the processor has an output means for providing the result of the algorithm;  
 wherein the system is embodied in an all-in-one indicator device.  
 
   
   
     43. The system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the device is provided in the form of an ear tag. 
   
   
     44. The system as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the tag incorporates the measurement device. 
   
   
     45. A system for providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal to be slaughtered, the system comprising:
 a body mountable measurement device for obtaining measurements corresponding to the body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals over a period of between 336 hours; and  
 a processor having an input means for receiving the measurements from the measurement device, the processor operable to implement an algorithm to the measurements, which algorithm cumulatively takes account of variations in body temperature over a time window, wherein the processor has an output adapted to output a numeric value result of the algorithm from a comparison with a meat tenderness scale.  
 
   
   
     46. A system for providing an indication of at least one of meat quality, pH levels, and stress levels in an animal to be slaughtered, the system comprising:
 a body mountable measurement device for obtaining measurements corresponding to the body temperature of the animal at periodic sampling intervals over a period of between 336 hours; and  
 a processor having an input means for receiving the measurements from the measurement device, the processor operable to implement an algorithm to the measurements, which algorithm cumulatively takes account of variations in body temperature over a time window, and operable to compare the output of the algorithm to a predetermined threshold wherein the processor has an output means for providing the result of the algorithm;  
 an indicator to indicate where the output of the algorithm has exceeded the predetermined threshold and provide an indication that the system is functioning.  
 
   
   
     47. A temperature sensing device including:
 a tag having an attachment portion to extend through a body part of an animal, the tag incorporating an indicator means;  
 one or more animal temperature sensors disposed on/in the attachment portion for contact with the animal during use;  
 an ambient temperature sensor provided on the tag; comparison means is provided to compare the ambient temperature with the animal temperature;  
 an indicator is disposed on the tag, the indicator being responsive to the comparison means.